This is definitely a game we should win. We are definitely the better team. If we play the way we were before the pause or even like we did against Richmond we will. They inexplicably have dominated the series though.

Richmond, Davidson, VCU, Dayton, Bonaventure dominate our series, but they have good teams. LaSalle has been pretty similar to us over the last 30 years. They've made one tournament since 92. Since joining the A-10 in 95 they are 95 games below .500 in the conference. They've only been above .500 in 4 of those 26 conference seasons (the same number as us). Yet they've won 8 of the last 11 against us. They have won the last 5 games in Philly by a combined 65 points. Going back further they've won 31 of the last 47. We've only beaten them in Philly 5 times in the last 40 years.

The game will probably be decided on the perimeter. They shoot the three well, but we defend the deep ball very well. Despite our best two scorers being inside guys we continue to fall in love with the three ball. So we will need to knock some down to win. They have a lot of length, but still don't defend very well. So I think we'll be able to make those shots.

When we do miss look for us to crash the boards hard, which could make the difference in a close game. They allow a lot of offensive rebounds, and we've been pretty good at that. Taking care of the ball will be key too. We've done a surprisingly good job of that since Carry left. So I think we'll be alright, they do force a lot of turnovers though. Foul trouble has been a big X factor for us, but luckily LaSalle doesn't get to the line very often. 

We have the better players and I think this is a good matchup for us. If we just look at our last six games and their last four it shouldn't even be close (86-66 Dukes based just on those ten games). Recent history says it will be a close game though and their lack of a go to guy will be the difference. Dukes 71 Explorers 68.

I'm with you Iron Duke, KD is still trumpeting Bekela, but as I've said before I don't like playing 4 on 5 offensively and MB doesn't have the athleticism, size or offensive ability of Acuff - one of your highest rated and sought after recruits KD.  We will not be top of the food chain without better quality/talent guard play and who wants to argue that MB fits that bill?  Moreover, who believes MB even gets a scholie if not to try to appease SC????  Finally, tell me who else offered MB in the first place????!!!!

Look for Marcus Weathers to have a huge game tonight.  If Mike Hughes can stay out of foul trouble, I believe the Dukes are poised to win and cover the spread.

I know this Board exists for the purpose of fan discussion and opinions on the team. I guess questioning coaching decisions is part of the package; but does anyone think that KD is playing a particular player if he doesn't feel it helps the team play better?  Why would he try to make a point of playing anyone who was hurting the team?  We've all heard hundreds of times that players can affect the outcome of games in a positive manner without necessarily having it show up in the stats.  Defense and facilitating for the other players on offense also helps the team win.  I don't really care who gets more minutes if the outcome is a win!  

Completely agree that Acuff has a higher upside than Bekelja, but has Bekelja really taken playing time from Acuff? In the recent three-game winning streak, with Bekelja starting and playing 26-27 minutes per game, Acuff had three of his highest minute totals of the season, averaging over 18 mpg. Against Richmond, Bekelja was replaced in the starting lineup by Okani and played just 5 minutes, all at the start of the second half, no? To Levon's point, the team didn't play particularly well with Bekelja in there, a 7-point halftime deficit soon ballooned to 14, forcing the Dukes to play catchup for the rest of the way. Bekelja was never heard from again in the game. The Dukes erased the deficit and twice took the lead but couldn't hold it. Takes a lot out of a team to come back from double-digits down multiple times in a game. Acuff only played 12 minutes, but it certainly wasn't because of Bekelja that his minutes were reduced. 

Big game for the Dukes especially if Davidson and Dayton lose tonight. Not sure of the dynamics come A-10 tourney seeding especially with in terms of teams like UMass and GWU. Richmond could drop their last two especially if St. Joe with Daly back continue to play well. Lets see how the night plays out. Beat Lasalle!
 

UGLY!

IDK what is worse, our offense or the LaSalle broadcasting effort.     Lots of room to get better in the 2nd half.

townsonkid wrote:

IDK what is worse, our offense or the LaSalle broadcasting effort. Lots of room to get better in the 2nd half.

Lol. Our offense. Tough to broadcast a game without a commentator.

And shut up.

Guard play is beyond abysmal

WashPaRick wrote:

And shut up.

He failed at that. Blocks a shot and then gets T'd. Awful!